The winter weather advisory in effect for the Ann Arbor area has been extended until 12 p.m. Thursday, and the National Weather Service is predicting 4 to 7 inches of snow for the Ann Arbor area.

NHL hockey fans faced snowy weather, traffic congestion and limited parking as they made their way to Michigan Stadium for the Winter Classic game between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 1, 2014, in Ann Arbor.The Ann Arbor News

The advisory took effect at 7 a.m. Wednesday, when NWS forecasters were predicting four to six inches of snow to accumulate in the Ann Arbor area.

The extended weather advisory says snow will increase in intensity Wednesday afternoon and persist through tonight and Thursday morning. Temperatures will remain in the mid to upper teens on Wednesday as the wind increases from the northeast during the day.

Forecasters warned the roads will be slippery, making travel hazardous.

The snow caused crashes “all over Washtenaw County” Wednesday morning and early afternoon, a dispatcher with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office said at 1:30 p.m. One crash temporarily closed eastbound I-94 at the M-14 split.

Thousands of Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs fans still braved the chilly temperatures and snow to attend the 2014 NHL Winter Classic at The Big House. The game started at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Reach her at 734-623-2584, email her lizzyalfs@mlive.com or follow her on Twitter.